NASEM: Harm Reduction Services for People Who Use Drugs: Exploring Data Collection, Evidence Gaps, and Research Needs: A Workshop

A planning committee of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) will organize and conduct a two-day virtual public workshop that brings together data experts, program implementers and evaluators, and other key interested parties to explore data collection efforts, evidence gaps, and research needs on harm reduction for people who use drugs (PWUD). The workshop will examine harm reduction strategies and services that aim to: prevent overdose and infectious disease transmission; enhance the health, safety, and wellbeing of PWUD; and offer low-threshold options for accessing substance use disorder treatment. Such strategies and services include syringe services programs; providing fentanyl and xylazine test strips; distributing naloxone and other reversal medications; and facilitating connections to social services for PWUD in need of medical services, stable housing, food-assistance, or employment.

Invited presentations and discussions will be designed to:

• Explore the current state of knowledge and evidence gaps regarding delivering harm reduction services for PWUD in communities, including evidence on best practices for engaging PWUD who are not currently accessing treatment or harm reduction services, as well as inclusive service delivery practices;
• Examine data collection coverage and gaps at the local, state, and federal levels regarding the current state of harm reduction practices in the U.S., including survey research and program and grant evaluations;
• Discuss evidence on barriers to the implementation of harm reduction services and programs at the local, state and federal levels, and the impact of regulatory barriers relative to other factors affecting harm reduction services;
• Explore future data collection needs and key opportunities for federally-sponsored harm reduction research.

The planning committee will develop the agenda for the workshop, select and invite speakers and discussants, and moderate the discussions. A proceedings of the presentations and discussions at the workshop will be prepared by a designated rapporteur in accordance with institutional guidelines.

Day 1 - January 30, 2024 | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET
Day 2 - January 31, 2024 | 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET